When you’re at the helm of an undefeated team and have yet to turn the ball over, you earn the #1 spot on this list. McCarron’s ability to get yards on the ground is an underrated aspect of his game. It doesn’t show up in the stats, but he’s shown exceptional leadership traits in performing at a high level at crunch time. It’s no surprise that a veteran like McCarron has avoided some of the issues that have befallen other QBs in the league early in the season.
Coan has been the surprise of the QB lot through two weeks. The Brahmas were built around a strong run game, but when that phase was ineffective against the Guardians last week, Coan got it done through the air. He has the highest completion percentage in the league and is tied for the lead in touchdown passes. Working against him is the fact that he put up big numbers against a weak Orlando defense.
Season stats: 40-70, 57.1%, 445 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Another quarterback of an undefeated team, Silvers made a big leap in week two against what was thought to be a top-level Arlington Renegades defense. He completed just 50% of his passes, but the two touchdown throws were the difference in the game. Most importantly: He didn’t turn the ball over after doing so twice in week one. Silvers is proving to be more than just a game manager, even with a stout Houston D leading the way.
4. LB Trent Harris, Roughnecks (last week: #1)
Last week: 5 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss
Season stats: 9 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 6 TFL
The first non-QB on the list this week, Harris simply can’t compete with players at that position for this award unless he continues to put up ungodly stats. He resumed abusing offensive tackles on the edge against Arlington, showing that week one was not a fluke. Harris didn’t have the eye-popping sack numbers to match week one, but he was also going up against a more accomplished offensive line. Harris is quickly becoming a leader within the league’s best defense.
Pearson’s 12-catch performance in week one didn’t earn him a spot in the top five last week in part because the Sea Dragons lost, but also because Pearson averaged just 7.9 yards on those 12 receptions. He showed his field-stretching ability in week two, however, notching the league’s longest pass play to this point in the season at 54 yards. He currently leads the XFL in receptions, receiving yards, and first down catches. The 5’7″ speedster out of Mississippi may be too small for the NFL; if he continues this trajectory, though, he may force a team to give him a longer look. At worst, he can carve out a pretty nice career in the XFL.
Dropped out
CB Michael Joseph (#2), WR Jeff Badet (#4), LB Tim Ward (#5)
